FAMILY FUN DAY!!!

This month we had planned an awesome road trip with our 5th wheel to California, but Justin had to have knee surgery so we opted to cancel the trip. We hope to go on our trip this coming Spring 2012. Since we weren't able to go on our trip we wanted to do various activities throughout the summer that the kids would have fun doing. This past Monday Justin took the day off and we went to the SEA LIFE AQUARIUM at Arizona Mills Mall. This is a new aquarium that was built here in Arizona and we have never been there before. Below are pictures from our undersea adventure.

Emma and Logan got to touch the starfish.

At the aquarium they had lots of spaces for kids to explore. They had these bubbles that allowed you to be a part of the aquarium and see the creatures up close. The kids really liked these bubbles, they thought they were the coolest thing!

Hey look! I have a sea creature on my head!!! hahaha.

Walking in the 360 tank. This was awesome!

Fish swam below, above, and around us!

LOVE THIS!!! He was so excited to see the sea animals.

Playing a game at the aquarium.

We had a great time playing at the aquarium. We went to the Rainforest Cafe after the aquarium, but I forgot to take pictures there. We also went to Gameworks (an arcade) so that Logan and Emma could play a few games. All in all it was such a fun day for our family!

ART

There is no denying that Emma has a creative soul. She loves to sing, dance, act, imagine, color, and draw. I had to post a picture of her latest creation. She is in LOVE with the Disney movie Rapunzel and yesterday she created this beautiful drawing in the playroom. For those of you who have seen the movie will understand my description. What you see is the Rapunzel tower, Rapunzel is look out the window with her hair cascading down the tower. Mother Gothel is at the bottom of the tower looking up. Flynn (Rapunzel's friend) is climbing the other side of the tower. Lastly, the beautiful lanterns are filling the night sky. I just love how creative she is!

Summer blogging

If you haven't noticed I have been blogging A LOT lately. The time off this summer has allowed me to blog more than I have in the past. I also just recently printed my blog from last year. My friend found a website that downloads your blog and binds it into a book for you. We received the book a few weeks ago and I was blown away with the quality. It was so fun to look at and reflect on past events that I had blogged about. I loved looking at the pictures we took. The kids loved the book and I realized this was something I wanted to do every year. I am making a big effort to blog more and keep a better record of our daily lives. And though some of the things I blog about my not seem monumental, I know that Emma and Logan will love looking back and seeing what toys they played with, the activities that they did, the words that they loved to say, etc. So here's to blogging daily, documenting as often as possible, and creating memories!!!!

...Shrimps...

We started swim lessons two weeks ago. I enrolled Emma and Logan in the same class this session. Emma was in this class last year, but I wanted her to have a little refresher and this was Logan's first time in a swim class without me getting in the water with him. Emma thought it was so fun to be in the same class with Logan. They are currently in the "Shrimps" class. Below are some pictures of my two shrimps...

8 Years and Counting...

Photo by Emma Chase

Yesterday Justin and I celebrated 8 years of marriage!!! It has been an incredible 8 years, full of love and laughter. I feel incredible blessed to have found such a wonderful partner in life. In honor of our 8 wonderful years of marriage we did what most married couples do, we went out for a nice dinner at Olive Garden. We chose Olive Garden for three reasons; 1 because we LOVE pasta, salad, and bread sticks, 2 because we NEVER eat out, and 3 because I had a coupon (yes I have been obsessed with coupons lately, haha). After dinner we came home to play with our 2 kiddos before they went to bed. It was a wonderful night!

To Justin, My Love:

Thank you for being such an incredible husband and father. You work so hard for your family and we appreciate everything you do. Thank you for being my "rock" and for always loving ME. I love you so much and enjoy celebrating life with you every day. Happy Anniversary my Love!

It's a Hard Knock Life... Emma's Dance Recital!

Little Orphan Emma

The past year Emma has been taking a Music Theater class at her dance studio. For her recital they chose to perform to "It's a Hard Knock Life" from Annie. We had so much fun watching our little STAR!!! Emma is a performer, she loves being on a stage. Justin and I always say that she has a future in theater because she loves to sing and dance.

You truly amaze us Emma. We love watching you perform.

We LOVE You!!!

Babies!!!

Baby Rylie, Baby Aiden, Baby Noah

My cousin's Lindsey, Kayla, and Ashley gave birth to these little peanuts within days of each other. Rylie is Lindsey's little girl, Aiden is Kayla's baby boy, and Noah is Ashley's little girl. This week the kiddos and I got to hang out with my cousins and play with their sweet babies. It is amazing that my three younger cousins are now moms! They are all such amazing women, but to see them as moms it's incredible. The best part is that they are able to embark on this new journey of motherhood together.

Logan "holding" baby Aiden. My cousin Ashley assisting.

Emma holding baby Aiden...Aiden was such a good sport!

Arizona Grandbabies!!!

Logan, Rylie, Aiden, Noah, and Emma.

To Ashley, Kayla, and Lindsey:

I just want to congratulate you girls again. I'm so excited for you all! Being a mom is the most rewarding and challenging job you will ever have. Remember to cherish ever moment with your little ones, even the spit up no sleep moments because time goes bye so fast.

I love you all! ~Sally

Newborn Photo Shoot #3

Meet Baby Asher!

Asher is my new nephew who was born in May. This week I went over to his house to shoot some newborn pictures of him and my two other nephews, Tanner and Conner. Asher was a perfect model for me as you can see from the pictures below. It was so fun taking pictures of him, Conner, and Tanner. Tanner and Conner are both proud big brothers who loved cuddling with their little brother for the camera. A big thank you to my sister in law Michelle for letting my come over and capture lovely pictures of her new bundle of joy!

New Hobby - Newborn Photos!

Meet Rylie!!!

This week I had the opportunity to shoot newborn pictures for my cousin Lindsey and her husband Aaron. Miss Rylie is the sweetest little girl, I spent the morning shooting multiple pictures of her just waiting for her to rest her eyes so I could take some sleeping shots of her, but to my surprise Rylie did not want to sleep for me. That is the fun part of newborn pictures you never know what to expect when you are shooting them. Even though she didn't sleep I got so many good shots of her awake. I hope to go back soon and take a few sleeping shots of her, but until then I will leave you all with these beauties...